All angles with Kassia Meador

Courtesy Roxy/Soens

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Kassia Meador

You'd never know it looking at her now, but Kassia Meador didn't step atop a surfboard until age 14. Over the past decade or so, however, she's evolved into one of longboarding's most respected, accomplished and interesting pros and has established a relationship with Roxy -- her first sponsor -- that's weathered the ever-changing tastes of surf culture.

You'd never know it looking at her now, but Kassia Meador didn't step atop a surfboard until age 14. Over the past decade or so, however, she's evolved into one of longboarding's most respected, accomplished and interesting pros and has established a relationship with Roxy -- her first sponsor -- that's weathered the ever-changing tastes of surf culture.

Courtesy Kassia Meador

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Alex Knost

These days, Meador doubles her surf trips as opportunities to capture moments of her own behind the camera. Her subject matter depends on what catches her eye and often includes friends. Here? "Bangs and single-fins: Al Knost, San Onofre, Calif."

These days, Meador doubles her surf trips as opportunities to capture moments of her own behind the camera. Her subject matter depends on what catches her eye and often includes friends. Here? "Bangs and single-fins: Al Knost, San Onofre, Calif."

Courtesy Kassia Meador

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"Summer moments, Calif."

To Meador, the real beauty of surfing is its diversity of styles and the path to discovering what makes you smile in and out of the water.

To Meador, the real beauty of surfing is its diversity of styles and the path to discovering what makes you smile in and out of the water.

Courtesy Kassia Meador

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"The candy shop, Beijing, China"

The life of a pro surfer means travel aplenty -- for waves, for contests, for ad campaigns, for fun. Meador has been to China twice, and, though the swell isn't always great, the photo ops abound.

The life of a pro surfer means travel aplenty -- for waves, for contests, for ad campaigns, for fun. Meador has been to China twice, and, though the swell isn't always great, the photo ops abound.

Courtesy Roxy/Russi

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Island hopper

"I'm a glorified beach bum I'm in love with the open road and experiences I can freeze forever with photography" is how Meador describes herself on her Twitter account. A traveling pro surfer has many exotic avenues open to her that support just this philosophy.

"I'm a glorified beach bum I'm in love with the open road and experiences I can freeze forever with photography" is how Meador describes herself on her Twitter account. A traveling pro surfer has many exotic avenues open to her that support just this philosophy.

Courtesy Kassia Meador

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"Parking lot skates, Malibu"

Meador grew up in California's San Fernando Valley but learned to surf the classic swells at Malibu. How you get to the sand is up to you.

Meador grew up in California's San Fernando Valley but learned to surf the classic swells at Malibu. How you get to the sand is up to you.

Courtesy Kassia Meador

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"Lady on a bike, Beijing, China"

"My photography is different than my surfing: I'm traveling to go surf, but I'm shooting everything along the way," Meador says. "It's been cool to blend my passions together."

"My photography is different than my surfing: I'm traveling to go surf, but I'm shooting everything along the way," Meador says. "It's been cool to blend my passions together."

Courtesy Kassia Meador

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Jared Mel

"Sandy feet and sunscreen cheeks, south of France," Meador says of this snapshot. Tracking the beach in with you wherever you go post-surf is a global experience.

"Sandy feet and sunscreen cheeks, south of France," Meador says of this snapshot. Tracking the beach in with you wherever you go post-surf is a global experience.

Courtesy Kassia Meador

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Aska, Malibu

"Valley girls love the wall and sunblock." Meador didn't grow up coastal and she reps her inland roots with pride.

"Valley girls love the wall and sunblock." Meador didn't grow up coastal and she reps her inland roots with pride.

Quiver

"Josh Halls shaped and signed, Spain." Meador longboards primarily and has a special place in her heart for logs, but she welcomes exploration of alternative modes of aqueous transport.

"Josh Halls shaped and signed, Spain." Meador longboards primarily and has a special place in her heart for logs, but she welcomes exploration of alternative modes of aqueous transport.

Courtesy Roxy/Soens

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Brand ambassador

Part of the team for nearly a decade and a half, Meador continues to star in Roxy's ad campaigns. She's even branched out into helping conceptualize part of the line: "Even with wetsuit design and innovation, girls can be fashionable and look good and enjoy the water," she says, "which I think is great."

Part of the team for nearly a decade and a half, Meador continues to star in Roxy's ad campaigns. She's even branched out into helping conceptualize part of the line: "Even with wetsuit design and innovation, girls can be fashionable and look good and enjoy the water," she says, "which I think is great."